Ex-bar hanger



Oct. 18, 1960 Filed July 15, 1957 C. B. ROBINSON EX-BAR HANGER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' FIG. I

INVENTOR. CHARLES B. ROBINSON ATTORNEY Oct. 18, 1960 Filed July 15, 1957 C. B. ROBINSON EX-BAR HANGER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 as as FIG. 9

INVENTOR. CHARLES B. ROBENSON BY kw,

ATTORNEY EX-BAR HANGER Charles B. Robinson, Cleveiand, Ohio, assignor to Cleveland Electro Metals Co., Cleveland, Ohio Filed July 15, 1957, Ser. No. 671,753

Claims. (Cl. 248-205) This invention pertains to the art of alloying or adding of low melting temperature solid metals to molten metal of a higher melting temperature as the molten metal is poured into a container, and more particularly for a hanger arrangement'for such solid metals.

The invention is particularly applicable to the supporting of an aluminum bar in an ingot mold as steel is poured thereinto, and will be described with particular reference to same, although it will be appreciated that the invention has broader applications.

In the co-pending applications of Robert W. Brown, Serial No. 621,787, filed November 13, 1956, and Serial No. 665,883, filed June 13, 1957, there is shown an arrangement for adding aluminum to steel as the steel is poured into an ingot mold, Thus, an aluminum bar is supported in the general mid-plane of the ingot mold by means of a steel rod which extends upwardly from the bar and rests on the upper end of the ingot mold. In the first mentioned application, a rod is threaded through an opening in the upper end of the bar, bent upwardly into the shape of a V and the ends bent over the upper ends of the ingot mold. In the second mentioned application, the apexof the V formed is provided with various types of hooks whereby the bar may be properly positioned.

In all of these arrangements, difficulty has been had threading the rod through the upper opening in the bar. Such problems were aggravated when it become apparent that the rod would have to be firmly or rigidly fastened to the upper end of the bar to prevent the bar from moving unduly within the ingot mold as the metal is poured thereinto.

The present invention contemplates a hanger arrangement for such bars which overcomes all of the abovereferred to difficulties and others, and is simply and easily assembled with a bar.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided for use with a bar of metal to be suspended within a container into which molten metal is to be poured, a hanger arrangement comprised ofa pair of parallel extending portions adapted to have received there-between the bar to be supported, such portions being deformable under manual pressure so as to retain the bar on the hanger.

The principal object of the invention is provision of a new and improved hanger arrangement for bars to be suspended in containers into which molten metal is to be poured.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved hanger arrangement which may be readily and quickly assembled with a bar to be suspended in an ingot mold.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved hanger arrangement which is quickly and readily assembled with such a bar and may be readily deformed so as to retain the bar in the assembled position.

The invention may take physical form in certain parts Patented Oct. 18, 1960 ice and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing which is a part hereof and wherein,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an ingot mold with an aluminum bar positioned therein on a hanger arrangement illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary end elevational view of Figure 1 taken onthe line 2-2,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the invention,

Figures 4 and 5 are respectively top and side elevational views showing a still further alternative embodiment, Figure 5 being taken approximately in the line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figures 6 and 7 show still further alternative embodiments of the invention, Figure 6 being taken on the line 66 of Figure 7 and Figure 7 being taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 6, p

Figure 8 is a top elevational view of a still further alternative embodiment of the invention,

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing a still further alternative embodiment; and I Figure 1-0 shows a still further alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring 'now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for the purposes of limiting same; the figures show a fragmentary crosssectional view of aningot mold including a side wall 10 having a barof aluminum 11 suspendedwithin the ingot mold, and supported in such position by means of a hanger rod 12.

The ingot mold wall forms no part of the present invention, but'as shown, includes generally an outer steel shell 13 and an inner shell 14 of refractory material. The bar 11 is supported within the ingot moldas is taught in the above-referred to patent applications, that is to say, generally ,on the midplane of the thickness of the ingot mold, and spaced from one end wall of the ingot mold by a distance generally equal to about /3 to /2 of the overall widthof the ingot mold.

The bar 11 as described in said applications, is generally elongated with its lower end 16 spaced from the lower end, not shown, of the ingot mold, and its upper end 17 generally spaced below the upper end 18 of the side wall 10.

The bar 11 as shown is generally elongated, and has a transverse cross-sectional shape such as to have thicker edge portions than mid portions whereby the bar 11 will melt readily as the molten metal rises in the ingot mold. For the purpose of supporting the bar 11, it has adjacent to, but spacedfrom its upper end 17, a transversely extending opening 20 and for cooperating with the upportion 27 which in the embodiment shown is welded as at 2 8 to the horizontally extending portion 25 at its upper end. The portions 25, 26 are spaced apart a distance generally equal to the spacing of the opening 20 from the upper end of the bar 17, and as shown, the portion 26 extends through and beyond this opening 20, a distance suflicient that the portions 25, 26 extending beyond the bar 11' may be deformed by manual pressure. Thus the portions 25, 26 arev preferably formed from ordinary low carbon, hot rolled steel, %f in: diameter, and as such arereadily deformable under manual pressures. g

When the portions 25, 26 have been bent as is shown, it will be appreciated that the portion 25 will then bearor be slightly spaced from the upper surface of the bar 17 and against the spacer portion 27. With this arrangement, it will be seen that the portions 25, 26 are relatively rigidly fastened to the bar 11.

The hanger arrangement also includes a horizontal spacer portion 30, integral with the portion and extending to the inner surface of the side 10. By proportioning the length of the spacer portion 30 from the spacer 27, the position of the bar 11 in the ingot mold can be controlled.

The hanger also includes a vertical spacer portion 31 integral with the horizontal spacing portion 30 at its outer end and which extends upwardly to the upper end 18 of the side wall 10. The hanger arrangement 12 also includes a supporting portion 32 resting on the upper surface 18 and integral with the vertically spacing portion 31. The hanger also includes a holding portion 33 which extends downwardly along the outer surface of the side wall 10. The portion 33 is preferably held in tight engagement with the outer surface of the ingot sidewall 10 either by so forming the portion 33 relative to the portion 31 that there is a springing action therebetween or as is shown in the drawings, by positioning the portion 33 within the vertical opening 36 of a tube 38 welded to the outer surface of the side 10. The use of such openings is described in the co-pending application of Robert G. Brown, Serial No. 673,414, filed July 22, 1957.

By properly adjusting the length of the vertical spacer portion 31 and the horizontal spacer portion 30, the position of the bar 11 can be properly controlled within the ingot mold. Obviously, the location of the tube 38 Will have been pre-selected.

With the arrangement shown, the bar 11 is firmly supported on a vertical axis within the ingot mold. It is firmly engaged at two spaced points by means of the hanger 12. Thus, the bar 11 is held against movement in the ingot mold under the forces of the violently agitated molten steel within the ingot mold and its axis is always maintained vertical under the buoyant forces of the steel on the aluminum.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. Thus, in Figure 3 the hanger shown generally at 39 includes spaced upper and lower horizontally extending portions 40, 41 integrally joined by a vertically extending spacer portion 42 which in the embodiment of the invention is a continuation of portions 40, 41 and may thus be formed by bending from a single rod of steel without the need for the welding of the embodiment of Figure l. The end of the portion 41 is inserted into the opening 20 and the bar 11 is moved into engagement with the portion 42. Thereafter the portion 41 is bent upwardly as at 43 to firmly position the bar 11 within the parallel portions 40, 41. The remainder of the hanger 39 is identical to that of the embodiment of Figure 1 and will not be described further.

Figure 4 shows a still further alternative embodiment of the invention for use with bars when for some reason or other it is not desired to provide the opening 20. Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the bar 11' has a pair of horizontally aligned notches 50. The hanger 51 in this instance includes horizontally aligned, horizontally spaced parallel portions 52, 53 integrally connected by means of a horizontally extending spacer portion 54, the portions 52, 53 being spaced an amount as to firmly engage the base of the notches 50. The bar 11' is assembled with the portions 52, 53 as is shown in Figure 4 and thereafter the free portion of the portion 53 is bent as at 55 toward the portion 52; the bar 11' is thus held in the firmly assembled relationship with the hanger 51.

Figures 6 and 7 show a still further alternative embodiment of the invention wherein no holes or notches of any kind are required to be formed in the bar 11. Thus, in this embodiment of the invention, the hanger 60 includes two horizontally spaced, vertically extending portions 61, 62 interconnected by means of a horizontally extending spacer portion 63 at the upper end thereof. As shown, the portion 61 and 63 are integral with each other while the portion 62 is welded to the remote end of the portion 63. In effect, these members are all integral. The portion 63 extends then integrally with the horizontal spacer portion 30 as in accordance with the preferred embodiment.

The legs 61, 62 terminate at their lower ends in outwardly diverging portions 64, 65 respectively to provide a diverging throat into which the bar 11' may be longitudinally slid and clamped therebetween.

As will appear from Figures 6 and 7, the bar 11' in transverse cross-section has longitudinally extending edges 67 of a thickness greater than the thickness of the intermediate portion 68. With this arrangement, movement of the bar 11 relative to the hanger 60 is prevented. In this embodiment of the invention, it will be noted that the members 61, 62 have a normal spacing slightly less than the thickness of the portion 68 so that they must be sprung apart slightly when the portion 68 is inserted therebetween and they will then frictionally engage the portion 68. Obviously, means can be provided on the opposed surfaces of the legs 61, 62 for increasing this frictional engagement such as roughening, notching, or the like.

Figure 8 shows a still further alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the hanger 70 includes horizontally spaced, horizontally extending portions 71, 72 integrally joined by means of a spacer portion 73. In this embodiment of the invention, the portion 72 terminates in a portion which diverges outwardly from a portion 72 to define a throat into which the bar 11' may be slid sidewardly and assembled as is shown in the drawings. Also the portion 72 preferably is spaced from the portion 71 slightly less than the maximum thickness of the bar 11 so that the bar 11 will be firmly held between the portions 71, 72 by means of the pressure between the surfaces.

Figure 9 shows further alternative embodiments of the invention primarily for use in situations where the bar 11 is too heavy for the size rod which it is desired to employ as a hanger or where an undue amount of physical forces are imposed on the bar by the pouring of the steel. In this embodiment of the invention, a pair of vertically spaced, horizontally extending portions 81, 32 are employed, integrally joined by means of a spacer portion 83, which portions 81, 82, 83 are associated with the bar 11 and its opening 20. A hanger in this embodiment is comprised of a rod generally in the shape of a V, and having a pair of upwardly diverging legs 85 integrally joined at their lower end by a horizontal portion 36 welded to the horizontal portion 81 adjacent to the vertical spacing portion 83. The legs 85 at their upper ends have outwardly extending horizontal portions 86 which rest on the upper end of the ingot mold. These portions 86 terminate in downwardly extending portions 87 which bear against the outer side of the ingot mold or extend through the opening 36 as is described with reference to the preferred embodiments.

Figure 10 in the embodiment, much similar to Figure 9, wherein the hanger is comprised of a rod generally in the shape of a truncated V having a pair of upwardly diverging legs 90, 91 integrally joined by a horizontal portion 92 having a length somewhat greater than the length of the horizontal portion of Figure 9. This portion 92 in effect, forms one of an pair of vertically spaced, horizontally extending portions, the other one of which is a horizontally extending leg 93 spaced from the portion 92 by a spacer portion 94 welded to one end of the portion 92 as at 95. The embodiment of Figure 10 functions almost identically to the embodiment of Figure 9, its principal advantage over that of Figure 9 being that it employs a smaller length of rod.

The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification, and it is my intention to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Hanger means for suspending an elongated bar of aluminum with its axis vertical in an ingot mold which has sides with an upper end, said hanger means comprised of an elongated metallic rod having at one end thereof a mounting portion for engaging the upper end of one side of the ingot mold, said rod having an elongated spacer portion which extends laterally from said mounting portion, said rod at the opposite end of said spacer portion having spaced parallel portions which are disposed completely laterally to one side of said mounting portion, said parallel portions being spaced apart from each other a distance to engage spaced surfaces on said bar and suspend the same in said ingot mold in laterally spaced relation to said side of the ingot mold.

2. Hanger means for suspending an elongated bar of aluminum in spaced relationship with the sides and bottom of an ingot mold, said hanger means comprising: an inverted U-shaped portion adapted to rest upon the upper end of the sides of the ingot mold and engage the sur faces of said sides, said hanger means including an elongated spacer portion which extends laterally from said inverted U portion and remote from said inverted U- shaped portion and carries a pair of spaced parallel bar engaging portions and a portion inter-connecting said parallel portions, said parallel portions being disposed completely laterally to one side of said inverted U-shaped portion and being spaced apart from each other a distance to engage spaced portions of said bar and support same within said mold.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said parallel portions have a length greater than the engaging dimension on the bar and are manually deformable to clamp the bar between the parallel portions.

4. A hanger for suspending a metal bar in an ingot mold, said hanger comprising a mounting portion for engagement with the ingot mold to support the hanger therefrom, an elongated spacer portion connected to said mounting portion and extending laterally in one direction away from its connection to said mounting portion, and a pair of spaced, substantially parallel legs supported by said spacer portion and both completely disposed in laterally spaced relation to said mounting portion in said one direction away from the connection of said spacer portion to said mounting portion, said legs being interconnected and away from their interconnection defining between them an opening which leads into the space between the legs.

5. The hanger of claim 4 wherein said mounting portion is shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the top of the ingot mold, and said legs are disposed substantially below the level of the top of said mounting portion.

6. The hanger of claim 4 wherein at least one of said legs is manually bendable toward the other leg.

7. A hanger for suspending a metal bar in an ingot mold, said hanger comprising a pair of spaced, substantially parallel legs which are interconnected and which away from their interconnection define between them an opening leading into the space between the legs, and mounting means connected to said legs and having a portion disposed completely laterally to one side of said legs for mounting the hanger in an ingot mold with said legs both completely disposed in laterally spaced relationship to the walls of the ingot mold, at least one of said legs being manually deformable toward the other leg.

8. In combination, a hanger comprising a mounting portion for engagement with the upper end of a side of an ingot mold to suspend the hanger therefrom, an elongated spacer portion extending laterally from said mounting portion, and a pair of spaced, substantially parallel legs supported by said spacer portion in laterally spaced relation to said mounting portion and below said mounting portion, and an elongated aluminum bar engaged snugly between said legs and supported thereby.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said hanger legs extend substantially horizontal.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein said bar is formed with an opening therethrough near its upper end, and one of said hanger legs extends through said opening and engages the bar thereat, and the other hanger leg engages the top edge of said bar.

11. The combination of claim 8 wherein said hanger legs engage opposite edges of the bar.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said hanger legs extend downward.

13. The combination of claim 11 wherein said bar has a width substantially greater than its thickness and has a mid-section of reduced thickness, and said legs on the hanger snugly engage the opposite sides of the bar at said reduced mid-section.

14. The combination of claim 11 wherein said opposite edges of the bar are formed with notches and said hanger legs are received in said notches.

15. The combination of claim 8 wherein at least one of said hanger legs is bendable toward the other leg.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,810,928 Pickop June 23, 1931 2,267,634 Arenz Dec. 23, 1941 2,595,292 Reece May 6, 1952 

